Pneumatic torque machine



Feb. 11, 1947. c. BROECKER PNEUMATIC TORQUE MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 02g INVENTOR. I ATTR/VEXS.

nun-Emu i u IIIIIIIIIIIIII I I I l I i I I I l I l l l l l l I I ll Feb. 11, 1947. c. BROECKER PNEUMATIC TORQUE MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1943 4 Sheets Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

Arron/5r;

Patented Feb. 11, 1947 UNITED STATES FATEN'E PNEUMATIC TGEQUE MACI HNE Application February 19, 1943, Serial No. 476,472

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to pneumatic torque tightening machines, and more particularly to a machine useful in the assembly of. valvestem parts with inner tubes of tires or the like.

In the assembly of valve stems of the detachable type with inner tubes of tires, it has been customary both to assemble the stem parts with the tube and to tighten the parts by hand. This usually has resulted in lack of uniformity in the finished assemblies as well as in frequent damage. to the tubes resulting from over-tightening of the valve-stem parts. It is difficult to judge the extent of tightening accurately when it is done by hand. In mass production, uniformly-tightened assemblies are essential and the need for means to ensure such uniformity is apparent.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel machine to which the initially hand-assembled tubes and valve-stem parts may be delivered for the application to each of the parts in assembly I of a final tightening operation that will result in uniform tightening of the parts on each tube. This is accomplished in the machine to be presently described by the utilization with it of a controlled pressure system which serves to operate a tightening member in the machine in such a way that it will give a final tightening to the assembled parts of the valve stem in conjunction with each tube to exactly the same amount.

Such a control system preferably should be independent of the fluid pressure used therein. It is another object, therefore, of this invention to provide novel means in conjunction with such system to effect this result.

Another object is to provide a machine that is simple to operate and by means of which rapid quantitative production may be effected.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a novel means whereby the torque exerted by the tightening member is adjustable to any predetermined amount.

A further object is the provision of a fluid-pressure system for operating the machine and of electricallypperated controls for said system.

Yet a further object is the provision in the device of signalling means which will serve to warn the user or operator whenever improperly tightened parts exist in the machine.

Another object is to provide a machine in which the tightened parts may be aligned uniformly with respect to the tube or other part on which they are tightened.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter to be described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, which show, merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, preferred embodiments of the invention, it being expressly understood, however, that changes may be made in practice within the scope of the appended claims Without digressing from the inventive idea.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts:

Figure l is a side elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the machine;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2, and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-5 of Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the control box used with the machine;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the pressure system, of component parts thereof, and of controls therefor;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a modified construction equipped for operating on valve stems equipped with bridge washers;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a valve stem having a, bridge washer; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the pressure system, of component parts thereof and of modified controls therefor for operating the modified construction of Fig. 7.

Referring to'the drawings, and first to Fig. 3, the valve stem is of conventional construction and comprises two parts, namely, a stem memher, or element i, and a detachable base member 2. The detachable base member 2' has a threaded part 4. This part, l is inserted through the usual opening 5 of a tire tube 6 from the inside of the latter. Then, the stem member l is screwed onto the outwardly-projecting portion of the base member 2 and tightened. This clamps a portion of the tube 6 around opening 5 between the base member 2 and a flange id on the stem member I.

The stem member i has a wrench-engaging portion l on its external surface. bodiment, this portion resembles a hexagonal nut. It may, of course, have other suitable shapes. Heretofore, the assembled arts have been tightened by applying a hand Wrench to this portion 1.

As contemplated in the present invention, the

In this em- 3 tube is cured, and, while still warm, the valve parts are assembled with it, as just described, and made fairly tight by any suitable means, such as a friction spindle. Later on, preferably 24 hours or more thereafter, the so-assembled and partially-tightened parts are delivered to the machine of this invention which embodies the means to give final tightening to the parts with uniform torque, so that the valve-stem parts on each successive tube when removed from the machine are tightened to a uniform extent.

The machine for accomplishing this itself comprises uprights, or frame members Ill, of suitable height extending from a base portion H. These uprights at their upper ends are provided with laterally-extending bent-over portions [a. The latter are adapted to rest on a suitable table T to which they may be suitably secured, A tubular guide member I2 is suitably supported on the bent-over portions 1 0a. This guide member slidably supports a tubular rod or member I3. The tube or rod [3 at its lower end is suitably coupled to a lever or treadle M by means of a coupling member l5, This coupling member is pivotally secured at l6 to the foot lever M. It is also secured to the tube 43 in such a way that the latter may rotate on its longitudinal axis while it is given reciprocatory motion on movement of the foot lever or pedal M. The pedal or lever l4,

in turn, is pivoted at I! to a suitable bearing or 3' support 18, which latter in turn is carried on the base ll of the uprights l8. Suitable tensioning means, such as a spring 29, is provided. This spring is secured at 26a to the lever M, and at 2% to one of the uprights Hi. It serves to always urge the lever or treadle M into the dotted position shown in Fig. 1.

The guide member [2 is provided with a helically-shaped cam slot 2| and the tubular member I3 is provided with a cam follower 22 which is adapted to move in said cam slot 2 I. In this way, vertieal'reciprocation of the tube l3 causes rotary motion thereof. v r

A top pressure pad member, or clamping member 25, is fixed to the tube member l3 suitably at 26. This member 25 is provided with a suitablyattached, cushioning pad 2'! of rubber or other equivalent available material for a purpose to be presently described.

A frame or housing 28 is carried suitably by the uprights Hi, being supported therefrom in any desirable way, as by the bolts 29. A table or plate member 30 is resiliently supported by and above the housing 28, as by the slidable pins or bolts 3!, on which the springs 32 are positioned in such a way as to urge the member 30 upwardly away from the frame or housing 28. Suitable limiting nuts 33 threadedly engage the bolts 3 I A hollow spindle 35 is carried by the housing 28 in the ball-bearings 3'3. A portion 38 of said spindle 35 projects upwardly of the frame or housing 28. This portion carries a spring 48 thereon. A socket wrench or other suitable tightening member 39 of conventional construction is removably positioned on the portion 38 of the spindle 35 and rests on spring 46. This socket wrench is of conventional construction and has a wrench portion 4! admeasured and shaped to receive the wrench-engaging portion 7 of the stem I. The said wrench member is slidably keyed to the spindle portion 38, as at 42. The internal diameter of the hollow spindle 35 is so ad-' measured that the valve stem I may be freely inserted into it through the open upper end of the 4 portion 38, and through an opening 39a in table 30.

Means are provided to rotate the spindle 35. To this end, the spindle 35 carries a pinion 45 which is suitably fixed or keyed as at 5-5 to the said spindle. A rack 48 meshes with the pinion 45. This rack is slidably supported in a suitable guide bracket 49 within the housing 28. Roller bearing 58 is provided to facilitate free sliding of the rack. The rack 43 is adapted to be operated by means of pneumatic or other fluid pressure. To this end, a suitable pressure cylinder 52 is supported from the frame or housing 28 in axial alignment with the rack 48. The cylinder has a piston 53 therein to which the rack member is coupled as at 54. The pressure cylinder-52 is provided with an inlet nozzle 55 to which air, or other fluid under pressure, may be delivered. A spiral spring 56 is carried on a portion 5'! of the spindle 35. This spring has one end 53 attached at 59 to a fixed support 58, The inner end of the spring is attached to the portion 5'! of the spindle in any suitable Way. This spring serves to tend to return the movable parts associated with the spindle 35 to original position upon re moval or release of pressure in the cylinder 52. Other suitable return means may be used.

A control box It is suitably attached to the bent-over portions Illa of the uprights Hi. This control box contains the control elements of the pressure system in a compact manner. These control elements comprise a solenoid-operated three-way valve ll of conventional construction, a pressure switch 12 of conventional construction, a main switch 73 of conventional construction, a solenoid '14 of conventional construction, and the requisite couplings, conduits and electrical Wiring necessary to operate the pressure system.

The solenoid-operated three-way valve 1 I, may, for example, be one manufactured by the Automatic Switch Corporation and known as the type P37XAA, form F. This valve has an inlet A, an exhaust outlet B, and a delivery outlet C. It also has a solenoid 1B for operating it. Normally, the valve H is biased by any conventional means such as a spring (not shown) or the like so that with the solenoid deenergized, the inlet A is closed to pressure from a supply line and the passage- Way between C and B is open. When the solenoid i6 is energized, the passageway between inlet A and delivery outlet 0 is opened while the exhaust outlet B is closed. The valve is returned automatically to the normal position wherein inlet A is closed to pressure from the supply line through the action of conventional biasing means when the solenoid is deenergized. Any other suitable solenoid-controlled three-way valve may be used, that described being merely by way of an example.

The pressure switch '82 is also of conventional construction. In the embodiment shown (Fig. 6) it comprises a casing 80. This casing contains a bellows member 8! which has an inlet 82. A plunger member 83 is in engagement with the bellows 8i and is provided with a suitable electrical contact 84. The plunger member and its contact as are movable toward and away from a stationary electrical contact 85. A suitable spring 86 surrounds the plunger member 83 and tends normally to collapse the bellows 8!, maintaining the contacts 8 and 35 apart, or in opencircuit. Suitable means, illustrated diagrammatically by the manipulating disc 81, serve to regulate the spring 86. This regulation varies the inflation pressure necessary in the bellows 8! to cause engagement between the contacts 8t and 85. Any other suitable pressure switch. that can be regulated or adjusted may be used.

The main switch i3 is of conventional construction and of the sihgle-pcle normally-open circuit type. it comprises a canwhich contains a movable contact ill and a stationary contact 92. An operating plunger 93 extends outwardly of the casing. When this plunger is depressed it moves contact 9i into engagement with contact e2 closing the switch. l lhen pressure is: released the plunger moves outwardly and contact E l moves away from contact 92, opening the switch. Any other suitable switch may be used.

The solenoid it, which is used in conjunction with, and to control, the switch '53, comprises a solenoid coil 95 and a solenoid ph ger 95. The latter is normally urged outwardly of the coil, as by a spring 9?, when the solenoid is deenergized.

Switch it is suitably position-e in the control box with its plunger 93 extending upwardly. The solenoid is is positioned in the control box with its solenoid arranged out oi axial alignment with the plunger 92%. The solenoid plunger has a yoke member 9? that normally enga stop member 93 suitably attached to the ca g This stop member limits the outward stroue of said plunger 2s. A trip lever 99 is pivotally connected to the yoke member. It has a part 990, hat over the plunger member Q3. The lever 3% also extends outwardly of the control box iii. A suitable spring 9% serves to so the trip lever 99 with respect to plunger 35:: that switch it is normally open.

The parts just described are adapted to be connected as follows:

Air, or other fluid under pressu e, delivered from a source (not shown) to inlet of an air strainer itli of conventional const uction. The outlet iii? of this air stier is co nested by a conduit H13 to the inlet A of the three-way valve H. The delivery outlet C oi the three way valve ii is connected e onduit lll i to the branch ass of a suitable co ng member use. Another branch lill of the member its is connected by a conduit to a conventional pressure gauge 559 of kno construction. A third branch lid of the coupl member is connected by a conduit Hi to one branch of a coupling member lit. Another branch of the. coupling member it is or lnected by suitable conduit or hose Me to branch 255 of a coupling member i225. A branc of this coupling member l?! is suitably connect .d to the nipple 55 leading to the pressure cylinder 52. A third branch I23 of the couphng member 52! is fitted with a suitable normally-open, one-way valve 1313.

The branches 522, of the coupling morn ber l2! are in axial alignment. A plunger rod it! extends from the piston through the nipple 55 into engagement with the valve its. This rod normally tends to press th valve 38 onto its seat 532 against the operation of the valve spring 33 for a purpose to be presently described. The coupling member 3 it also has a branch i ll; which is connected by a suitable conduit It? to the inlet 82 of the pressure switch bellows 85.

The solenoid it of t .e three-way valve ii is con nected in electrical series with the contacts iii, 92 of the main switch l3, and with the conduits I35, 536 of the power source P by suitable electrical connecting members 53?, E32, The

m ind switch-control solenoid 9,5 is connected in series with the contacts 3 3, of the pressure switch l2 and the conduits. L35, I35 of the power source P by the respective electrical connecting members tail, is?! and [42.

As mentioned above, the trip lever 99 extends outwardly of the control box, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and extends into the path of an adjustable trip member M3. The trip member I43 is ad' usta-bly and resiliently positioned in any suitable manner on the pressure pad member 25. In this way, energization of the solenoid l6 of the three-way valve ll is made dependent upon the position of the pressure-pad member 25.

The operation of the machine is as follows: in the normal position of the parts the presuro-pad member 25 is swung awayfrom over he socket wrench 3% and the cam follower 22 is coated at the upper end of the groove 2| in the .uide l2. At this time, too, the piston 53 is in he position shown in Fig. 4; that is, at the extreme right end of its stroke. Also, at this time, the contacts 9i and 92 of the main switch 13 are apart, as are the contacts 85, 85 of the pressure switch 72. In addition, the three-way valve is closed at its inlet A, so that, the fluid pressure tie source, entering the air strainer HJI,

.''s to the system.

is static condition of the parts, the operator inserts the stem member I of a Valve stem into the spindle 35 through its upper end until the flange id rests on the socket wrench The tire tube 6, associated with the valve stem, then rests on the table or plate member .1' The balance of the tube overhangs the table and. is supported by the tube rest M8.

The operator then depresses the lever or foot pedal it to the full-line position shown in Fig. 1. This draws the rod 53 downwardly. Because of the engagement of the cam follower 22 in the cam slot iii, the pressure-pad member 25 swings into alignment over the spindle 38, and its pad ll presses or bears downwardly against the tube 6. Suiiicient counterpressure is developed by the resistance of the resiliently-supported table 30 and the resiliently-supported socket wrench 39 to prevent any slipping of the base member 2 inside the tube 5.

dust at about the time the pressure-pad member reaches the aforedescribed pressing position, the trip member 543 engages and operates the trip lever 99 to close the switch 13. The closure or switch it causes the solenoid T6 of the three-way valve i i to be energized. This energit-ration op ns inlet A of the valve H to air, or other fluid pressure, delivered to strainer I 0|, also permits free passage of this pressure thr igh the delivery outlet C of the valve to the conduit id l. Exhaust outlet B of the valve is then closed. From. the conduit i8 1, the pressure s led through the conduits Ill and H5 and hrough the coupling member l2! to the pressure 'ylinder At the instant when air pressure aches the coupling member 12!, the valve I38 is L aintained on. its seat by the plunger rod I31, 0 that, the air pressure is forced to enter the r inder 52 and to actuate piston 53, thereby move rack member 33 toward the left of Fig, 4. l movement of th rack. member 48, because oi its engagemen' with the rack pinionv 45, causes rotation of the spindle 35. This rotation imparts a tightening movement to. the socket, wrench 39 and thereby tightens the stem member I with respect to the base member 2.

The pressure conduit Ill branches. from, the

c+ (q we rt conduit H i so that the samepressure exists in saidconduit, and in bellows 8!, as in the conduits HI and H5. This pressure will not be suflicient to actuate the bellows until sufficient torque is exerted on the stem parts. As the piston moves toward the left, it encounters more resistance because of the increasing resistance encountered by the rotating socket wrench 353 as the latter tightens the stem parts. The increasing resistance to motion of the piston 53 builds up pressure in the conduit H and in the conduit ll i, so that the pressure in the bellows increases. When this pressure equals or exceeds the setting of the pressure switch, the bellows expands and moves to close the circuit of the solenoid is through the contacts 36 and 85. As soon as this occurs, the solenoid plunger 9%; is drawn into its solenoid 95 against the resistance of its spring 8?. Such movement of the plunger 95 lifts the trip lever 89 sufliciently to permit plunger 93 to rise and to open the circuit of the solenoid is at the switch it. This immediately cuts off air pressure at the inlet A of the three-way valve ii and permits the pressure system to bleed both through the outlet B of the three-way valve H, and around the exi haust valve 138, which becomes unseated when the air pressure drops sufficiently for spring 33 to open it as the rod 13! is out of engagement with it. The operator then lifts his foot from the treadle M and the spring causes the lifting of the clamping or pressure-pad member 27 from its engagement with the tube 6 on table 381 and its return to original out-of-the-way posit-ion. The operator then removes the tube and its tightened valve-stem parts from the machine. Since the bleeding just described can take place, the spiral spring 56 then acts to restore the piston 53 and rack 48 to the condition shown in Fig. 4. Initial conditions are then restored in the entire machine and the same sequence of operations are carried out on the next tubeand valve-stem assembly.

It will be seen that, with the machine and the pressure system just described, the amount of tightening torque exerted by the socket wrench 39 will always be equal for any given setting of the pressure switch 12, regardless of the air pressure delivered to the strainer Nil, providing that the latter pressure is always greater than that necessary to give the desired torque at the socket wrench 39. This is true because the pressure switch 1?. then always closes on the existence of a determined pressure in the bellows 8i. That determined pressure occurs each time the socket wrench encounters a specific resisting force in its tightening action on the valve-stem parts. In effect, therefore, the pressure available to operate the piston 53 is determined by the setting of the pressure switch 72, irrespective of the pressure of the source, provided the latter is higher. The setting can be changed.

If the valve parts have been insufliciently tightened before they are inserted into the machine, the limited movement available to the rack member 68 will be insufficient to cause the necessary final tightening. As a result, the rack member will tend to overtravel, i. e., move more than usually necessary for such final tightening, and its end Gila will serve to actuate a suitable switch 45 supported from the housing M5. 7 The switch is connected in any suitable way in an electrical circuit, including a signal lamp or bell I47. The signal, e. g., lighting of the lamp or ringing of the bell, at any time during the operation of the machine, will serve as a warning to the operator that the particular valve stem l in the machine at the moment has not received the necessary preliminary hand or final tightening, with respect to its base member 2.

On certain types of tires it is essential to use stems la (Fig. 8) equipped with a so-called bridge washer" ib attached to the stem. This bridge washer is usually made of sheet metal having generally rectangular shape and has to be positioned with respect to the tube so that the sides of the bridge washer are parallel with the sides of the tube. Using the machine described above, very few stems would have their bridge washers properly aligned with air cut-ofi occurring when the required torque has been applied. It becomes necessary therefore to provide additional means for rotating the stem la, its base 2a and bridge washer relative to the tube after the required tightening torque has been applied to align the bridge washer properly with respect to the tube.

This may be accomplished simply by the additional mechanism and circuit connections shown in Figs. 7 and 9 without requiring any changes in other structural details of the machine hereinbefore described.

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of the spring pad or table 33 of Fig. 3 and an end view of the valve stem la with its attached bridge washer lb. The stem is shown inserted into the socket wrench ready for tightening onto an inner tube but the latter is omitted for clarity.

Suitably attached to the underside of spring pad 35 are a solenoid I59, a switch 155 (similar in construction to switch 73) and a switch oper ating lever use. The armature l5! of the solenoid i5!) is pivotally connected at I52 to a link 53. The latter is pivotally connected at I54 to the operating lever 158. The lever I58 at its opposite end is slotted at 159. A pin I60 depending from the pad 39 extends through said slot serving both to support and to guide the lever 158 at this opposite end. A suitable tension spring EEi attached to lever at M2 and to a pad 39 at $3 serves normally to maintain the lever I58 in the dotted line position of Fig. '7, i. e. with the pin H69 in engagement with the left hand end of slot 159. A projection H54 provided on lever I58 is at this time spaced from the operating plunger lit of the switch i so that the contacts I51, I53 of the latter are separated, or in open position.

The lever I58 has another projection or pin 36 which is positioned to lie clear of the bridge washer lb when lever I58 lies in the dotted line position of Fig. '7.

When the solenoid i513 is actuated as will be presently described, the lever I58 is swung by the linkage 553 to bring the projection or pin I66 into the path of movement of a flange to of the bridge washer lb and when the two engage, further movement of such flange moves the lever E58 toward the left of Fig. '7, bringing projection its into engagement with the switch plunger 156 to close the switch (55. The admeasurement of lever Hi8 and the position of its projections Hi l, tilt are such that switch L55 is closed when the bridge washer assumes the position shown in Fig. 7 at which time it is properly aligned with the tube. At this time the lever! 58 is in the dotdash line position shown in Fig. '7.

The solenoid E58 and switch I55 are connected with the other parts of Fig. 6 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein all parts having reference numerals like those of Fig. 6 are similar.

The solenoid 16 of the three way valve II is connected in electrical series with the .contacts 9]., 92 of the main switch "83 and with the conduits I35, I38 01" the power source P by suitable electrical connecting members or wirings E37, lee, I39. The control solenoid of the switch '53 is connected in electrical series with the contacts I57, i 58 of the switch Hi5 (carried by spring plate 39) and the conduits i351, its of the power source P by the respective electrical connecting members or wirings i'it, ill, H2, H3. The contacts 3%, 85 of the pressure switch H are connected in electrical series with the solenoid lfiil (carried by the spring pad or table 3%) and with the conduits 35, 136 by the respective electrical connecting members or wiring El i, H5, ill? and ili.

In operation, assume that a stem la equipped with a bridge washer assembled with a tube has been inserted into the socket wrench 39 and the operator has depressed foot lever I l 50 that ma chine parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 3.

At this time the trip member M3 engages and operates the trip lever 99 to close the contacts 5 i, 92 of the main switch 73. This closure energizes the solenoid 76 of the three-Way valve ll. This energization opens inlet A of the valve H to pressure delivered to strainer Nil and permits free passage of this pressure through outlet (3 of the valve to conduit lil i. Exhaust outlet B of the valve H is then closed. From conduit its, the

pressure is led through the conduits iii and llii and through the coupling member A2! to the pressure cylinder 52 causing rack member 48 to be operated as previously described and consequently rotating spindle 35 and imparting tightening rotation to the socket wrench 39 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 7, thereby tightening the stem member la with respect to its base member 2a.

The same pressure exists'in conduit ii i and in bellows 8! as previously described. As the piston 52 encounters increasing resistance during the tightening action, the pressure built up in bellows 8! ultimately closes the circuit through contacts 84, 85, thereby energizing the solenoid I50 (carried by table As soon as this occurs, the armature {5! of the said solenoid moves the lever 58 to bring its projection its into the path of rotation of a flange to of the bridge washer lb which is still capable of rotation with respect to the tube under action of the socket wrench 39. The tube is held against rotation by the pressure pad 27. When the flange lo and the projection I56 engage, the lever 58 is moved to the left of Fig. 7, bringing projection I54 into engagement with plunger its of the switch I59 carried by the table Such engagement closes the circuit through contacts 65?, I58 of the latter switch and the solenoid it. As soon as this occurs, the solenoid plunger 9% is drawn into its solenoid 95 against the resistance of spring ti. Such movement lifts the trip lever 99 sufficiently to permit plunger 93 to rise and to open the circuit of valve solenoid it at the main switch '83. This immediately cuts off pressure at the inlet A of the valve H and permits the pressure system to bleed as previously described stopping rotation of the socket wrench 39. This rotation stops just when the bridge washer lb becomes properly aligned as shown in Fig. 7. At this time proper tightening torque also has been applied to the stem parts la, 2a with respect to the tube.

The operator then lifts his foot from the treadle Hi, removes the tube and its tightened aligned valve stem parts from the machine and the wrench 39 and associated parts return to their initiai positions as previously described and as shown in Figs. l, '7 and'fi. initial conditions then exist and the same sequence of operations can be carried out .on the next tube and valvestem assembly.

While the machine has been described as particularly effective in connection with the tightening of valve-stem parts and tubes, it should be understood that it has application to the tightening of other parts, wherein a final, uniform tightening torque is necessary. 7

It is to be understood, too, that structural variation within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated. There is no intention of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1.. In a device for uniformly tightening valvestem parts or the like on a tire tube or the like, tightening means adapted to act on one of said parts, a table member, a clamping member movable reciprocally toward and away from said table member and being rotatable about the axis of reciprocation, said clamping member serving to maintain another or said parts and said tube stationary during tightening action by said tightening means, means for moving said clamping member reciprocally, cam means for rotating said clamping member about said axis of reciprocation during the reciprocal motion, means to operate said tightenin means, and means to control said operating means to effect uniformity action by said tightening means. vice for uniformly tightening valves or the like on a tire tube or the like, is tighte g means adapted to act on one of a esiliently-supported table mem- 7 her, a clamping member movable into and out of clamping engagement with said table member and serving to maintain another of said parts and said tube stationary during tightening action by said tightening means, means for so moving said clamping member, gear means to rotate said tightening means, pressure-actuated means to operate said gear means, and adjustable, means whereby to effect uniformity of tightening action by said tightening means.

3. In a device for uniformly tightening valvestem parts or the like on a tire tube or the like, rotatable tightening means adapted to act on one of said parts, a resiliently-supported table member, a clamping member movable into a clamping position with respect to said table member and in such position serving to maintain another of said parts and said tube stationary during tightening action of said tightening means on said one of said parts, foot-operated means for so moving said clamping member, gear means to rotate said tightening means, fluid pressure-actuated means to operate said gear means, means controlled by said foot-operated means for delivering fluid under pressure to said pressure-actuated means, and pressure-responsive means to cut off delivery of said fluid when a predetermined torque has been exerted by said tightening means.

4. In a device for uniformly tightening threaded valve stem parts together on a tire tube, one of said parts having a wrench receiving portion and an elongated portion, a rotatable hollow member adapted to receive said elongated portion, a wrench carried by said rotatable member and adapted to engage said wrench receiving portion, a table member for supporting said tube, a clamping member movable reciprocally and rotatably with respect to said table member and adapted to prevent rotation of said tube and the other of said valve stem parts during action of said wrench on said wrench receiving portion, means to rotate said wrench and said hollow member, means to operate said clamping member, and means to limit the torque applied by said wrench to a predetermined amount.

5. In a device for uniformly tightening threaded valve stem parts together on a tire tube, one of said par-ts having a wrench receiving portion and an elongated portion, a rotatable hollow member adapted to receive said elongated portion, a, wrench resiliently carried by said rotatable member and adapted to engage said wrench receiving portion, a resiliently supported table member for supporting said tube, a clamping member movable reciprocally and rotatably with respect to said table member and adapted to prevent rotation of said tube and the other of said valve stem parts during action of said wrench on said wrench receiving portion, pressure-actuated means to rotate said wrench, means to rotate said clamping member into and out of alignment with said rotatable hollow member, means to move said clamping member toward and away from said tube, and means to limit the torque applied by said wrench to a predetermined amount.

6. In a device for uniformly tightening valve stem parts together on a tire tube, one of said parts having a wrench receiving portion and an elongated portion, a rotatable hollow member adapted to receive said elongated portion, a wrench resiliently carried by said rotatable member and adapted to engage said wrench receiving portion, a resiliently supported table member for supporting said tube, a clamping member movable reciprocally and rotatably with respect to said table member and adapted to prevent rota-'- tion of said tube and the other of said valve stem parts during action of said wrench on said wrench receiving portion, pressure-actuated means to rotate said wrench, means to rotate said clamping member into and out of alignment with said rotatable hollow member, means to move said clamping member reciprocally with respect to said table member, means carried by said table member responsive to th position of an element of one of said valve stem parts, and means controlled by said last-named means to limit the torque available through action of said pressureactuated means, whereby a predetermined positioning and tightening of said valve stem parts on said tube is effected.

LEWIS C. BROECKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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